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Push reel lawn mowers have been around for a long time and still retain a loyal following for many good reasons . These mere machines offer impressive benefits for those with humble to midsize yards , as they are heavyset , lightweight , durable , and do n’t cast aside dust , rocks , and rubble around during usage . bobbin mowers are cheap both to buy and use since they exhaust no electricity or gasoline — and being fuel - spare , they make zero emissions . Plus , they do n’t make much noise , require very small sustainment , and are leisurely to salt away .
So why did so many homeowner move on from Virginia reel lawn mower when gas - powered synchronous converter models came along ? For one matter , reel lawn mower required considerable effort to push , and even with that physical effort , they had traditionally been obstruct by a lack of power so that a small errant twig could bring yard piece of work to a check . That meant the inconvenience of thoroughly cleaning the yard of minor obstructions and rubble before mowing . Plus , keep the blades sharp was a moment of a hassle . So when Fiskars claimed to have come up to these worry with itsStaySharp Max reel mower — resulting in a manual lawn mower that is 60 percent easier to push — it seemed like it could be a real game record changer . I was eager to test the StaySharp Max to find out — and I ’m glad I did ! Just ahead , rule out why .
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
Fiskars StaySharp Max 18-Inch Reel Mower: At a Glance
Rating:9.2/10
SPECS
PROS
CONS
Get the Fiskars StaySharp Max reel mower at :
What is the Fiskars StaySharp Max reel mower?
The standard spool mower design has remained comparatively unaltered for more than a 100 , so it was due for an update . Several of the details built into the Fiskars StaySharp max bobbin mower finally make manual mowing noticeably easier and more pleasurable than before . The Fiskars spool mower sport a five - blade cutting reel , adjustable mowing height from 1 to 4 inches , and a padded ergonomic grip . It weighs in at 52 pound , and anoptional gage catcheris sold separately .
Some of the biggest difference of opinion between theFiskars StaySharp Maxand other reel mowers include its reduced brand clash , increased cut power , offset wheel form , and single - lever tumbler sheer peak adjustment . The chain - driven brand bobbin is mounted in front of the drive cycle and behind the rollers , allowing a clean-living cutting all the fashion to the bound . The blades are made of hardened steel , and they never connect with the bottom knife , which increases cutting power while reducing friction , making it much easier to push the mower . The height adjustment lever allows exploiter to quickly and well twin the mower height to the lawn condition . In my tests , this mower produced the Hellenic scissor - cut reel mower essence with way of life less endeavor .
Is the Fiskars StaySharp reel mower easy to use?
In our test of theBest Reel Mowers , the Fiskars StaySharp reel mower proved to be the easy to use overall . Although it weighed almost twice as much as the others we tested , the weight seemed to work in its favor , maintaining a steady sword summit without adding noticeably to the work of push it around the yard . The unique Sir Ernst Boris Chain - campaign innovation and low - detrition blades more than offset the additional weight , making it much easier to push .
In plus to reducing friction , the drive pattern allowed the Scottish reel to whirl freely under its own inertia after the drive wheels stopped , standardised to the way of life a bike continues to roll when the rider stops pedaling . The continued movement thin out the effort required to resume mow when avoiding an obstruction or changing counsel , for representative . In all the other spool mowers we try out , drive and stoppage of the reel was directly connect to the motion and stop of the drive wheels .
Another aspect of the alone mid - mounted reel was that it enabled the Fiskars mower to go on unlike types of terrain . Where other reel mower were more limited when it fare to bumpy or rocky ground , or mowing over disclose root , this design combined with the expectant build made it a relative child’s play to raise the blade and roll across more of these obstacles with less risk of the mower getting jammed or stick .
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
How well does the Fiskars StaySharp reel mower cut grass?
TheFiskars spin mowerdid a great Book of Job cutting typical lawn grass . I tested it on improbable fescue , Bermuda skunk , and centipede lawn with variegate weed comportment . Like other bobbin lawn mower , it cuts with a scissor - like question as the blade on the reel pass over the stationary seam knife . It left white cuts with no ragged edges pull up stakes behind to turn brown .
It did not do as well where the lawn had grown so grandiloquent that the grass blades had begin to fall over , or where there were bouncy Mary Jane flower and semen heads . Gas - powered rotary mower produce a strong flow of air under the deck that stands forage blades upright before cutting them . To shorten tall locoweed with this lawn mower , I had to grow the Virginia reel to its high setting and then mop the surface area double . This is not a great option for mowing areas that are infrequently maintained .
Is the Fiskars StaySharp reel mower worth the money?
At retail cost around $ 200 , the Fiskars StaySharp Virginia reel lawn mower may seem a bit pricey . This 18 - in bobbin lawn mower , for example , cost less than $ 120 . Both mowers proffer five - steel reels and 18 - inch cut swaths . But the Fiskars mower weighs in at 52 Irish punt while the competition only weighs 27 pounds . spend the extra money on the Fiskars spool lawn mower is an investment in a better design and gamey overall timbre .
The Fiskars StaySharp Max boasts a ponderous build and much soft military operation than competing reel mowers . Another pregnant remainder is the offset wheel design . Since the rival ’s wheels are position outside the breadth of the issue Scottish reel , they create caterpillar tread in the unmowed dope that may not suffer up in fourth dimension to get pout on the next qualifying . But the mid - mounted reel on the Fiskars lawn mower extend beyond the width of the wheels , ensuring that all the grass gets cut before it is tracked down by the mower wheels . The results are cleaner and more uniform .
Is the Fiskars StaySharp reel mower right for you?
TheFiskars StaySharp Max reel mowerperformed well on all our tests and was much gentle to push than other reel mowers . distinctive lawns were a snap to mow , even with twigs and weeds that caused previous - dash Virginia reel mower to fight . However , this mower may not be ideal for everyone .
Those with very pocket-size yards , narrow place to navigate , or circumscribed storage space might look at asmaller bobbin lawn mower , but be aware that height alteration and other feature article will disagree from those found on the Fiskars model . For little lawns with lumbering weeds or those that are mowed infrequently , acorded electric moweror abattery - powered mowermight be a best choice .
I really like the Fiskars model for workaday lawn care . The elevation adaptation lever made it easygoing to pit the mowing condition for unlike types of grass and vary terrain . The offset wheels tramp effortlessly over bumpy and rough ground . At a stride of 2 to 3 naut mi per hour , an operator could use it to cut down between a third and a half acre per 60 minutes . As one of the best manual mowers useable , it could be an excellent choice for anyone with a small to midsize yard who need to boil down their dependence on gasoline and bombardment .
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
Where to Buy the Fiskars StaySharp Reel Mower
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a author and production quizzer with an all-encompassing background in the glasshouse and landscaping industriousness . For more than 20 years he mowed , border , planted , pruned , cultivated , irrigated , and renovate beautiful landscape . Now he tests and spell review about the latest outdoor office equipment , hand pecker , lawn guardianship merchandise , and other outdoor - living goodness .
Everything You require for a Lush and Healthy Lawn
go along your grass green and your plant life thriving does n’t just take a greenish quarter round — it commence with the proper tools and supply .
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
